Three Royals Selected for Futures Game

On July 8th, three Royals prospects will be on national display in Kansas City as they take part in the All-Star Futures Game: outfielder Wil Myers and right-handers Jake Odorizzi and Yordano Ventura. Myers and Odorizzi will be part of the US team while Ventura, who hails from the Domincan Republic, will participate as a member of the World team.

Wil Myers, at 21 years old, will be taking part in his second Futures Game. Highly regarded within the Royals organization, as well as around the league, Myers is doing all he can in Triple-A Omaha to force Dayton Moore to call him up to Kansas City. In 68 combined games between Double-A and Triple-A, Wil has a .336 batting average while recording 45 extra-base hits (24 homeruns, 18 doubles, 3 triples), 62 runs batted in, and 59 runs scored.Jake Odorizzi, 22, will be taking part in his first Futures Game. Like Myers, Odorizzi too is on the verge of being able to make an impact at the big league level. In 13 combined outings (12 starts) for Double-A and Triple-A, Izzy is sporting a killer 8-2 record with a 2.89 ERA in 72 IP. His K:BB ratio is nearly 4:1 (81 K:21 BB) and opposing hitters own a .219 batting average against him.

Yordano Ventura, 21, will be partaking in his first Futures Game experience as well. Despite his size, the 5’11”, 140-150 lbs. starter has the ability to touch 100 mph. In 13 starts and 61 IP, Ventura has struck out 78 hitters while walking only 24. On the year for Class-A Wilmington, he’s 3-5 with a 3.10 ERA with an opposing batting avergae of just .227.

In the past handful of years, the Royals have been well-represented in the Futures Game. Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, Mike Moustakas, and Eric Hosmer (as well as Alcides Escobar while with the Brewers organization) have all taken part

Another member of the Royals will be taking part in the game, although this one is on the opposite end of the prospect-veteran scale.

George Brett has been named the manager of the US team for the Futures Game. Triple-A Omaha manager Mike Jirschele and former Royal John Wathan will be a part of Brett’s coaching staff for the game.

The All-Star Futures Game will take place at 4:00 pm on Sunday July 8th at Kauffman Stadium.